Unveiling the Molecular Origin of Vapor-Liquid Phase Transition of Bulk and Confined Fluids
Sorrasit Jitmitsumphan,
Tirayoot Sripetdee,
Tharathep Chaimueangchuen,
Htet Myet Tun,
Sorayot Chinkanjanarot,
Nikom Klomkliang,
Sira Srinives,
Woranart Jonglertjunya,
Tau Chuan Ling,
Poomiwat Phadungbut
Affiliations
Sorrasit Jitmitsumphan
Nanocomposite Engineering Laboratory (NanoCEN), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Tirayoot Sripetdee
Nanocomposite Engineering Laboratory (NanoCEN), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Tharathep Chaimueangchuen
Nanocomposite Engineering Laboratory (NanoCEN), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Htet Myet Tun
Nanocomposite Engineering Laboratory (NanoCEN), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Sorayot Chinkanjanarot
National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Nikom Klomkliang
School of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Sira Srinives
Nanocomposite Engineering Laboratory (NanoCEN), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Woranart Jonglertjunya
Fermentation Technology Laboratory (FerTechLab), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Tau Chuan Ling
Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Poomiwat Phadungbut
Nanocomposite Engineering Laboratory (NanoCEN), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
At temperatures below the critical temperature, discontinuities in the isotherms are one critical issue in the design and construction of separation units, affecting the level of confidence for a prediction of vapor–liquid equilibriums and phase transitions. In this work, we study the molecular mechanisms of fluids that involve the vapor–liquid phase transition in bulk and confinement, utilizing grand canonical (GCE) and meso-canonical (MCE) ensembles of the Monte Carlo simulation. Different geometries of the mesopores, including slit, cylindrical, and spherical, were studied. During phase transitions, condensation/evaporation hysteretic isotherms can be detected by GCE simulation, whereas employing MCE simulation allows us to investigate van der Waals (vdW) loop with a vapor spinodal point, intermediate states, and a liquid spinodal point in the isotherms. Depending on the system, the size of the simulation box, and the MCE method, we are able to identify three distinct groups of vdW-type isotherms for the first time: (1) a smooth S-shaped loop, (2) a stepwise S-shaped loop, and (3) a stepwise S-shaped loop with just a vertical segment. The first isotherm type is noticed in the bulk and pores having small box sizes, in which vapor and liquid phases are close and not clearly identified. The second and the third types occurred in the bulk, cylindrical, and slit mesopores with sufficiently large spaces, where vapor and liquid phases are distinctly separated. Results from our studies provide an insight analysis into vapor–liquid phase transitions, elucidating the effect of the confinement of fluid behaviors in a visual manner.
